Context:
Snow line around Mt. Everest rose by 490 feet in less than two months. It rose from 20,000 ft on Dec 11, 2024, to 19,510 ft on Jan 28, 2025. Sublimation with assistance of extremely fast winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures.
The source: Nasa Earth Observatory and a glaciologist Mauri Pelto who performed evaluations based on satellite imagery and local weather stations.
Key Highlights:
- Long Term Climate Changes
- Himalayan winters are getting drier and warmer, with farther and farther seasonal snowlines.
- Again, Nasa’s Landsat 9 satellite imagery (Jan 20, 2025) shows that the snowline rose in altitude compared to Jan 2022.
- Historical Trends
- Only 2022 had normal January snow levels.
- 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 had higher snow lines, suggesting a new normal for the region.
Impacts on Glaciers & Water Security
- While North American and European glaciers gain mass in winter, Himalayan glaciers depend on the monsoon snow occurring in summer (June Sept).
- Dry winters decrease accumulation of snow, therefore, diminishing glacier health and water supply in the long run.
- Possible Consequences
- Water scarcity for communities living downstream and relying on glacial melt.
- Worsening wildfire risks, as seen during Nepal’s early fire season in 2025.
What is Next?
Himalayan rapidly changing snow patterns call for climate adaptation strategies right away. Scientists warn that the shift might disrupt water availability in South Asia for millions relying on glacial melt for agriculture and drinking water.
